Tax preparer indicted for filing false tax returns

Belinda Gail Sheppard-Lewis, 59, was arraigned Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Gainesville on four counts of filing a false tax return along with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Cindy Swirko @CindySwirkoStaff Reporter

A Gainesville tax preparer has been indicted on federal allegations that she filed false tax returns and used the Social Security number of another person to claim that person as a dependant, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Belinda Gail Sheppard-Lewis, 59, was arraigned Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Gainesville on four counts of filing a false tax return along with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Sheppard-Lewis owned MB Sisters, a tax preparation business.

It’s alleged she filed false personal income tax returns for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 by misrepresenting the amount of money she earned. The income she claimed was so low that she didn’t pay any taxes.

On one return, Sheppard-Lewis reportedly used another person’s social security number to falsely claim her as a dependent in a return, according to the indictment.

Sheppard-Lewis was released, pending trial. The trial is scheduled for May 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville. This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Jason S. Beaton is prosecuting the case.